Functional performance of carbon nanotube decorated nickel oxide as a smart nanoplatform for enhanced antibacterial and anticancer activity

Abstract

This work discusses the synthesis and characterization of NiO NPs and NiO/MWCNT nanocomposites (ratio 1:1 molar) via a sol-gel method, with an emphasis on improved biomedical applications. The fabrication of extraordinarily crystalline face-centered cubic NiO is verified through X-ray diffraction (XRD), and the characteristic (002) demonstrates the successful integration of MWCNTs. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy indicate a significant interfacial coupling, as demonstrated by Ni-O-C bonding, which prove that MWCNTs are well incorporated into the NiO matrix. UV-Vis spectroscopy revealed a red shift in the absorption edge and a reduction in the band gap from 3.5 eV (NiO) to 3.1 eV (nanocomposite), which indicate an improvement electronic interactions and charge transfer. Photoluminescence (PL) research revealed a significant quenching, indicating a reduced in the electron-hole recombination and increased charge separation. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) revealed a well dispersed NiO nanoparticles which anchored onto the nanotube network, that leads to reduce the particle size and increased the surface area. Due to synergistic actions such membrane rupture and reactive oxygen species production, the nanocomposite demonstrated improved antibacterial activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative pathogens.  Due to synergistic actions such membrane rupture and reactive oxygen species production, the nanocomposite demonstrated improved antibacterial activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative pathogens. Furthermore, an increasement in the ROS generation and apoptosis induction are linked to increased cytotoxicity against A549 cancer cells. These results demonstrate a great potential of the nanocomposites for antibacterial and biological uses.